I'm not a runner … but I'm trying to be!

Lessons learnt from a 10k

The one with another list

So what have I learnt after my first 10k road race …

1. Preparation is key. Drinking a bottle of red the evening before was perhaps not my best idea. In my defence my in laws came for dinner, I stopped drinking at 8:15, drank lots of water before bed and was asleep by 10 pm.

2. Be more confident in my own ability. I started the race at the back and was 330 out of 353 to cross the start line. I finished in 244 place. I could probably have started a little further forward and it may have helped me at the start where I struggled to get past other runners.

3. I still don’t like pictures of me running but I don’t hate them as much as I did.

4. I like having family there to cheer me on. The girls smile as I headed towards the finish line spurred me on to run a bit faster.

5. This running and racing lark is a bit addictive and I’ve signed up to a few more. I run faster and push myself more … and do better than I thought I ever could.

6. I sometimes get annoyed with other runners. I don’t say anything to them, just speed up and try and get past them! There were a number of runners yesterday with lots of things in their pockets and all I could hear was their money clacking together.

7. I need to stop running in my cap. I use it to hide, so no one can see me. But, my head gets so hot and it can get a bit distracting. When I’ve worked out how to tame my fringe, the hat goes!

8. I live in a hilly town! The race went along the river and across bridges, up and down steps and up inclines I didn’t know existed in the town! My legs burned but I pretty much ran it all.

9. I am a bit competitive. I know my limits but I overtook someone I don’t particularly like and was determined to stay ahead of them. I finished about a minute ahead in the end.

Like this:

Related

3 thoughts on “Lessons learnt from a 10k”

I can’t stand to wear hats because my head gets too hot like you. I wear a visor (Headsweats to be exact: http://www.headsweats.com/), but other people like to use a headband to tame their bangs/fringe (http://www.headsweats.com/womens-reversible-headband-flowers/). If you use the promo code AFASTPACEDLIFE, you’ll receive 20% anything you order (not sale items). I love Headsweats so I became a brand ambassador for them. (I don’t receive anything if you use the promo code). I just love them, so I tell people about them whenever I can.

I am still working on getting to the point where running becomes addictive. Right now, it is still so hard, but I like how I feel afterwards. Thanks for sharing your experience. Can’t wait until I’m in a similar frame of mind as you!